Get Ahead of the Game: A Guide to a Seamless Migration to Google Analytics 4 (GA4) by July 1st, 2023

Google Analytics 4 is the next generation of web and app analytics, replacing Universal Analytics. On July 1st, 2023, all standard Universal Analytics properties will stop processing new hits, making the switch to GA4 a must for all website and app owners.

The migration to GA4 is straightforward and provides the following:

• Improved machine learning features.
• Actionable reporting.
• New integrations that help you adapt to the ever-evolving privacy and technology landscape.

This will allow you to get complete and accurate insights into consumer behavior across the web.

Here are the essential steps to make the switch to GA4:

1. Consider account structure - If you have one website and/or one app, you can skip this step.
2. Create a GA4 property and data stream - With the GA4 Setup Assistant, creating a GA4 property is easy and requires very low effort.
3. Collect website and app data - If the GA4 Setup Assistant can't reuse your tags, you'll need to collect website and app data, which varies in the effort. You can set up Shopify or another website builder/CMS.
4. Turn on Google signals - This is a required step for enhanced remarketing and reporting, and is a very low effort process.
5. Set up conversions - You can use the Goals migration tool or set up conversions manually, which is a low effort process.
6. Add users - You can use the User migration tool or add users manually, which is a low effort process.
7. Link to Google Ads - You can use the Google Ads links migration tool or create new Google Ads links, which is a low effort process.
8. Migrate audiences - If applicable, migrating audiences requires a medium effort, or you can set up new audiences.
9. Validate your conversions - If applicable, validating your conversions requires a medium effort.
10. Import conversions into Google Ads for bidding - If applicable, importing conversions into Google Ads for bidding varies in effort.
11. Add Analytics audiences to a campaign or ad group for remarketing - If applicable, adding Analytics audiences to a campaign or ad group varies in effort.

You'll need to put in more effort for more advanced setup needs, such as custom events, e-commerce, data import, and more. But once you've completed these steps, you'll be on your way to getting the actionable, privacy-safe customer insights you need with Google Analytics 4.

So, what's next? Check out your reports or try the Explore playbook to learn how to answer common business questions with GA4. With GA4, you'll be equipped to make data-driven decisions for your business and stay ahead of the curve.

Useful Link: [GA4] Make the switch to Google Analytics 4

If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with me. (@akshaysura13 on Twitter or Slack).